Khabib Nurmagomedov appeared on Saturday about CBS Sports' Champions League reporting when the UFC legend joined Kate Scott and the Punditry Panel
The refusal of Khabib Nurmagomedov to shake hands with Kate Scott on live television was due to the religious beliefs of the UFC star. The ex-hunter born in Dagestan made a guest appearance on CBS Sports on Saturday, after the historic First Champions League title of Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG Trounced Inter Milan 5-0, which marked the biggest victory margin in the history of the prestigious match. As a well-known PSG supporter and incidental visitor to Parc des Princes, the 36-year-old joined the presenter Scott and the lively Pundit trio of Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards to the Pitch-Side.
They were already accompanied by the popular streamer Ishowspeed when the former fighting champion approached the agency and greeted each member with a handshake.
However, when Scott got her hand, Nurmagomedov dropped, but seemed to briefly explain his decision, which led to an immediate apology of the presenter, De Spiegel reports us.
The Russian, who has the record for the longest reign as a lightweight champion in the history of UFC, is a pious Sunni Muslim. In Islam it is strictly forbidden for followers to have physical contact with the opposite sex unless they are family.
Nurmagomedov's strict compliance with his faith is well documented, with a former teammate who reveals in 2020 that although he would demonstrate fighting techniques for a woman, he would not train directly with her.
Former UFC hunter Cynthia Calvillo opened about her experience with training alongside MMA legend to the American Kickboxing Academy and told TheScore: “It's a bit strange because of their religion … they will not train with women.
“[Khabib] Still shows technology and things like that. So I can still view it. But it doesn't bother me … because they are not really rude against me immediately. “
Despite a first hue of clumsiness in the Allianz Arena, Nurmagomedov quickly found his foot when the conversation focused on PSG's first European triumph.
After enjoying the game with his old friend and reigning UFC Lichtweight Champion Islam Makhachev, the former hunter later celebrated with Achraf Hakimi and posed with the Champions League trophy.
Nurmagomedov hung up his gloves in 2021 and left a flawless 29-0 record, after achieving an entry victory against Justin Gaethje to defend his lightweight title. His decision to step away from MMA came from the death of his father and mentor, Abdulmanap, the previous year.